Meritrust Credit Union is pleased to announce two local charities will each receive a $30,000 donation made generously possible by their members. In November, the credit union announced the Skip-A-Pay program was once again available for the holidays. The program allowed members to defer their loan payments in December by paying a $25 processing fee per loan, of which a portion would be donated to local charities.

“We wanted to give our members a more joyful and stress-free holiday while doing our part to give back to the community,” said Jamie Taulbee, Vice President of Marketing.

Meritrust has chosen the Envision Foundation of Wichita and Sunlight Children’s Advocacy & Rights Foundation (SCARF) of El Dorado to each receive $30,000, which equates to over 90 percent of the money generated from the holiday loan deferment program.

The Envision Foundation provides resources to enhance the personal independence of individuals with blindness or low vision. SCARF’s mission is to provide resources and facilities that support and protect abused and neglected children and their families.

One way SCARF will meet its mission is by using these funds as part of a $2.5 million campaign to build a children’s home in Andover on three acres of land donated to the organization by Hope Community Church.

“This is so much more than we anticipated,” said Suzy Thien, Executive Director of SCARF. “We just appreciate the fact the Meritrust is part of this.”

Byron Stout is the Interim CEO for Meritrust and also serves on the Andover City Council. He said these donations are part of what makes Meritrust the company that it is.

“Our mission is people helping people,” Stout said. “These organizations are what we are about.”

“Both of these organizations do so much for our community and those in need—we couldn’t be more pleased to help fund their programs. Credit unions are about helping people, just like the Envision Foundation and SCARF are about helping people. There is a common bond of purpose and mission,” said Mahlon McCaleb, SVP Chief Financial Officer.